So, the National Nurses Executive Director RoseAnn DeMoro states “that nurses that have been willing to stand by the patients whether it’s the flu, whether it’s Ebola, whether it’s cancer, are now being asked to put themselves in harm’s way unprotected, unguarded.”

This is the very same union that not so long ago defeated legislation that would’ve made it mandatory for health care workers, like nurses, that were involved in direct patient care to either get the flu vaccine or wear a mask during flu season (wearing masks is an efficient way to prevent transmitting the flu to their patients). This nurse wonders why they chose to defeat this legislation then, but go on strike demanding protection now?

The city of Duarte saluted all veterans in a celebration at Thorsen Park in Duarte. Mayor Liz Reilly led us in an outstanding program. The posting of the colors was performed by Army National Guard H&H Troop, 1-18 Calvary. Guest speaks were Earl Harry Heflin, first lieutenant, U.S. Army and Justin E. Rivera, staff sergeant, U.S. Army. Both gave touching and notable talks. Assembly member Roger Hernandez read the names of Duarte veterans.

My two older brothers, Jimmy and Charles, served in WWII. My younger brother, George, served in Korea. When I came home from Korea in 1953 I had a wish, that vets of this war would be last to be known as Veterans of Foreign Wars. Alas, that was not to be. We have sent our young to wars since. When will my wish be granted?

— Jack Collins, Duarte

Who does the Glendora teachers’ union represent?

Monday night I attended the Glendora Unified School District board meeting where a number of teachers and their union representative were making their case for a higher raise than the district claims to be capable of giving.

I was beside myself, though, when the union representative made the statement that a particular assistant superintendent “just didn’t care about the teachers.”

When my wife and I found we were over-qualified for retirement some 10 years ago, we offered to retire and teach our programs for free, allowing our salaries to go back into raises for other teachers. The district was ecstatic. However, the union, with this same representative aboard, refused to allow it to happen. That’s over a $150,000 a year they turned down.

Now he says the school representative doesn’t care about teachers? I think not! The audacity! I have no doubt the union is simply about themselves; justifying their existence.

My cap is off to the many fine teachers and administrators in Glendora. May they someday find the more professional representation of yesteryear.

— C. Larry Bidwell, Glendora

Right-to-die laws could prove disastrous for state

Regarding the ongoing letters about right-to-die legislation: We are now at a period in history where we can choose our right to live or die. If there are no strict rules and laws in place this could very well prove to be disastrous.

Oregon’s death-with-dignity law contains no penalties for doctors who do not report prescribing lethal doses for the purpose of suicide. Doctors are on their own when prescribing death-with-dignity medications and are not required to keep records.

An article, “Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide & Health Care Decisions. Part 1,” states, “many patients who sought assistance with suicide had to ask more than one physician for a prescription for lethal medication.” A New England Journal of Medicine article noted, “Patients or their families can ‘doctor shop’ until a willing physician is found.”

And what of the adult who never was, or no longer is, capable of decision-making? Should that person be denied medical treatment that ends suffering? Are euthanasia and assisted-suicide laws based on the need to eliminate suffering, or not? Can an 18-year-old be given the right to eliminate suffering but not a 17-year-old?

Some doctors state “self-administered” means the patient only can take the medication. But what if a patient is handicapped or paralyzed and needs assistance?

If this issue appears on a California ballot without so many questions answered and oversight mandates in place for doctors, patients and family members, I will be opposing it. There is just too much confusion involved in many medical decisions. That is why we have the right to a second opinion by doctors.

— Sally Wieck, Baldwin Park

The whistlestop theory of state’s water bond money

Is there any truth to the rumor that Gov. Jerry Brown plans to use Proposition 1 bond money to add tank cars to the bullet train to more efficiently move water to Southern California?

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